“He always told me it was like coming home, getting back on the water. The rush of adrenaline as a wave took him, the excitement of riding the sea, taming its ferocity and coming out the other side unscathed.”

Sam leaned in closer, hanging on his father's every word, anxious to take in every detail.

“I sometimes think back to how it used to be and wonder, what could have been, if only things had been different? I mean, I know it's useless of course, we can't go back and change the past. Much as I'd like to, mind. But- no, it was a happy time really. That's what you should remember.”

The rickety old bed creaked as Sam shuffled about, finding the comfiest spot, his father continued.

“He loved his water-sports, oh yes, there's no questioning that! All sorts he did, surfing and kite-surfing-of course- and we had great fun whenever we took the jet skis out, racing each other around the harbour, all the way out to the lighthouse even!”

Sam looked at his father, perched awkwardly on the edge of his bed, the smile across his face was broad and genuine, and Sam couldn't help but feel the same, as the memories provoked imaginations of scenes of fun and joy.

“I hope you'll think of him fondly, Sam. He was a good man, a great friend. I'm truly sorry things turned out the way they did, and I'm sure your mother would say the same, if she were here. God bless her. But the sea kept drawing him back, like an addiction, almost. That was where he was happiest, at peace. He just couldn't get away from it.”

Sam's father stopped talking at that, staring instead into his thoughts and recollections. Sam looked around too, at the peeling wallpaper and cracks up to the ceiling, at the bare light bulb and peeling paint. He couldn't help but sigh.

“Time for bed then,” his father said, coming back to the present, “good night, sleep well.” He continued as he flicked the light switch by the door.

Sam snuggled down and went, after a time, to sleep. His dreams were of the waves and the sea and the surfers. And, in spite of everything else in his life, he felt happy, home at last.